Hillcrest is very proud to present this custom country estate. Our journey to provide this home for our customer started with our Realty division searching for land for them. After we found the gorgeous countryside site with an old pond, wetland and pastures we managed complex re-zoning and permitting. Because every direction offers distinct views, we spent a lot of time with our customers to place the home and create a layout that maximizes views from every living space. Our design department created a two story main dwelling with an open concept, modern country style custom kitchen, dining area with two sided fireplace, and abutting three season porch. With the kitchen being the hub, it accesses the office, front hall foyer, stairs to the second floor, and the breezeway to the auxiliary part of the home. The living room is semi-open of the dinette, and has chauffeured ceilings. The second floor contains the master suite with a very luxurious bathroom and stunning views. The other two bedrooms also provide great, far flung views. The auxiliary part of the home is perhaps the most unique part of this estate. It offers a long hallway with glass to the south overlooking a large patio with a hot tub. The other side of the hallway has a large laundry with a dumbwaiter to return the laundry upstairs, a shower and powder room for direct access from the hot tub and swimming pond, and a large mudroom. It terminates in the rear foyer with access to the garage and the crown jewel, the sports bar. The customer wanted a brew pub to make and serve his home made beer. The brew pub contains heated, stained concrete floors, concrete counters, and very tall vaulted ceilings. The walls and ceilings are clad with wire brushed grey stained pine and lots of windows overlook the hot tub patio and 270 degree views. The customer also wanted a barn, as both he and she grew up on a farm and shared the love of barns with Hillcrest’s owner. We designed the “perfect gentleman’s barn”, of course red with white trim and with a covered porch which extends on one side into a small greenhouse. Hillcrest also designed and built extensive landscaping features including a winding plank walk to a large swimming pond in the woods. Because of the ample ground water, we created a second swimming pond next to the house which is stays crystal clear and ended up functioning as an outdoor pool.

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

Peter Rymwid Photographer “This beautiful master bath had a great beginning but just needed some finishing touches.” First up the walls. To blend the grey, white and beige of the marble tiles, we chose a soft shimmering taupe grass cloth with a silver background from York. Next stop, soften the room with textiles: A beautiful wool and silk runner combines the tile colors and add my favorite color…Blue. Varying shades of blue, taupe and grey with stunning black accents add color and texture to the coolness of the marble. Slip off your shoes and see h ow good it feels on your feet. The windows have a simple Couture fabric valance trimmed with Mercury glass beads which sparkle in the sunlight. Crystal vases sit on custom faux finished pedestals which hold candles for a subtle ambience. A dark blue console holds towels and decorative accents. A luxurious brass accented bench invites you to sit and relax while filling the oversized tub, a true indulgence. On to the lighting: The fabulous shimmering pendant light is literally the crowning jewel of the space. Crystal beads and soft brass accents shimmer and shine when you turn on the lights. Silk painted shades adorn the sconces while a coordinating fixture lights the entry way. The final touches; the art. An oversized contemporary Giclée Tennessee Morning is like looking out a window onto a field of flowers with a perfect blue sky. Original photo art from Alyssa Peek Ditch Plans and Changing Seasons is an homage to my favorite place the beach. Above the blue console, 6 small silk screen on glass pieces titled People Watching are grouped together. Artist Cathy Coricone’s acrylic paintings complete the art in the room. Her original pieces Moon Drops, Warm Pool and Cool Pool provide a sense of serenity with soft soothing colors and brush strokes.

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

A Fresh Traditional Kitchen AS SEEN ON: SEASON 3, EPISODE 3 OF MASTERS OF FLIP Soft pastels get a fresh, stylish update when paired with sparkling chandeliers and modern accents to create a space that shows why the party always ends up in the kitchen. In this one-wall style kitchen, we paired our classic Colorado doors with Driftwood enamel and traditional glass-front upper cabinets against a textured white backsplash. The centrepiece of the space is the large eat-at island in Sugar White. Featuring a charming farm sink and capable of comfortably seating four, it provides plenty of space to prep or mingle. Clever built-in additions, like an under-counter microwave unit, means that style is never sacrificed for function in this Kitchens by Foremost design! This pantry wall was custom designed for the space it’s in, making sure that every bit of space is properly utilized. Using the same Colorado doors in Sugar White enamel as in the main kitchen ensures that this addition fits seamlessly into the space. The top hinged cabinet, custom wine rack, and stem glass holder also allows this pantry pull double duty as a impromptu bar.

Perched above the beautiful Delaware River in the historic village of New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania sits this magnificent custom home designed by OMNIA Group Architects. According to Partner, Brian Mann,"This riverside property required a nuanced approach so that it could at once be both a part of this eclectic village streetscape and take advantage of the spectacular waterfront setting." Further complicating the study, the lot was narrow, it resides in the floodplain and the program required the Master Suite to be on the main level. To meet these demands, OMNIA dispensed with conventional historicist styles and created an open plan blended with traditional forms punctuated by vast rows of glass windows and doors to bring in the panoramic views of Lambertville, the bridge, the wooded opposite bank and the river. Mann adds, "Because I too live along the river, I have a special respect for its ever changing beauty - and I appreciate that riverfront structures have a responsibility to enhance the views from those on the water." Hence the riverside facade is as beautiful as the street facade. A sweeping front porch integrates the entry with the vibrant pedestrian streetscape. Low garden walls enclose a beautifully landscaped courtyard defining private space without turning its back on the street. Once inside, the natural setting explodes into view across the back of each of the main living spaces. For a home with so few walls, spaces feel surprisingly intimate and well defined. The foyer is elegant and features a free flowing curved stair that rises in a turret like enclosure dotted with windows that follow the ascending stairs like a sculpture. "Using changes in ceiling height, finish materials and lighting, we were able to define spaces without boxing spaces in" says Mann adding, "the dynamic horizontality of the river is echoed along the axis of the living space; the natural movement from kitchen to dining to living rooms following the current of the river." Service elements are concentrated along the front to create a visual and noise barrier from the street and buttress a calm hall that leads to the Master Suite. The master bedroom shares the views of the river, while the bath and closet program are set up for pure luxuriating. The second floor features a common loft area with a large balcony overlooking the water. Two children's suites flank the loft - each with their own exquisitely crafted baths and closets. Continuing the balance between street and river, an open air bell-tower sits above the entry porch to bring life and light to the street. Outdoor living was part of the program from the start. A covered porch with outdoor kitchen and dining and lounge area and a fireplace brings 3-season living to the river. And a lovely curved patio lounge surrounded by grand landscaping by LDG finishes the experience. OMNIA was able to bring their design talents to the finish materials too including cabinetry, lighting, fixtures, colors and furniture.

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

We were hired to design a Northern Michigan home for our clients to retire. They wanted an inviting “Mountain Rustic” style that would offer a casual, warm and inviting feeling while also taking advantage of the view of nearby Deer Lake. Most people downsize in retirement, but for our clients more space was a virtue. The main level provides a large kitchen that flows into open concept dining and living. With all their family and visitors, ample entertaining and gathering space was necessary. A cozy three-season room which also opens onto a large deck provide even more space. The bonus room above the attached four car garage was a perfect spot for a bunk room. A finished lower level provided even more space for the grandkids to claim as their own, while the main level master suite allows grandma and grandpa to have their own retreat. Rustic details like a reclaimed lumber wall that includes six different varieties of wood, large fireplace, exposed beams and antler chandelier lend to the rustic feel our client’s desired. Ultimately, we were able to capture and take advantage of as many views as possible while also maintaining the cozy and warm atmosphere on the interior. This gorgeous home with abundant space makes it easy for our clients to enjoy the company of their five children and seven grandchildren who come from near and far to enjoy the home. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

We were hired to design a Northern Michigan home for our clients to retire. They wanted an inviting “Mountain Rustic” style that would offer a casual, warm and inviting feeling while also taking advantage of the view of nearby Deer Lake. Most people downsize in retirement, but for our clients more space was a virtue. The main level provides a large kitchen that flows into open concept dining and living. With all their family and visitors, ample entertaining and gathering space was necessary. A cozy three-season room which also opens onto a large deck provide even more space. The bonus room above the attached four car garage was a perfect spot for a bunk room. A finished lower level provided even more space for the grandkids to claim as their own, while the main level master suite allows grandma and grandpa to have their own retreat. Rustic details like a reclaimed lumber wall that includes six different varieties of wood, large fireplace, exposed beams and antler chandelier lend to the rustic feel our client’s desired. Ultimately, we were able to capture and take advantage of as many views as possible while also maintaining the cozy and warm atmosphere on the interior. This gorgeous home with abundant space makes it easy for our clients to enjoy the company of their five children and seven grandchildren who come from near and far to enjoy the home. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

The exterior of this villa style family house pops against its sprawling natural backdrop. The home’s elegant simplicity shown outwards is pleasing to the eye, as its welcoming entry summons you to the vast space inside. Richly textured white walls, offset by custom iron rails, bannisters, and chandelier/sconce ‘candle’ lighting provide a magical feel to the interior. The grand stairway commands attention; with a bridge dividing the upper-level, providing the master suite its own wing of private retreat. Filling this vertical space, a simple fireplace is elevated by floor-to-ceiling white brick and adorned with an enormous mirror that repeats the home’s charming features. The elegant high contrast styling is carried throughout, with bursts of colour brought inside by window placements that capture the property’s natural surroundings to create dynamic seasonal art. Indoor-outdoor flow is emphasized in several points of access to covered patios from the unobstructed greatroom, making this home ideal for entertaining and family enjoyment.

We were hired to design a Northern Michigan home for our clients to retire. They wanted an inviting “Mountain Rustic” style that would offer a casual, warm and inviting feeling while also taking advantage of the view of nearby Deer Lake. Most people downsize in retirement, but for our clients more space was a virtue. The main level provides a large kitchen that flows into open concept dining and living. With all their family and visitors, ample entertaining and gathering space was necessary. A cozy three-season room which also opens onto a large deck provide even more space. The bonus room above the attached four car garage was a perfect spot for a bunk room. A finished lower level provided even more space for the grandkids to claim as their own, while the main level master suite allows grandma and grandpa to have their own retreat. Rustic details like a reclaimed lumber wall that includes six different varieties of wood, large fireplace, exposed beams and antler chandelier lend to the rustic feel our client’s desired. Ultimately, we were able to capture and take advantage of as many views as possible while also maintaining the cozy and warm atmosphere on the interior. This gorgeous home with abundant space makes it easy for our clients to enjoy the company of their five children and seven grandchildren who come from near and far to enjoy the home. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Nestled into a steep hill on an urban-sized lot, N44° 58' 34" is a creative response to a set of unique site conditions. The house is terraced up the hill, providing multiple connections to the large urban lot. This allows the main living spaces to wrap around the greenspace, providing numerous visual and physical relationships to the backyard. With a direct connection to the largest public park in Minneapolis, the backyard transforms seasonally to support the families active, outdoor lifestyle. A grand, central staircase functions as a statement of modern design while windows simultaneously flood all three levels with light. The towering stair is framed by two distinct wings of the home, creating secluded, yet connected moments on each level.

The couple who embarked on this Lake Zurich Illinois home renovation spent years planning a move from Virginia to the rolling hills of Northern Illinois when their first grandchild was born. Wanting to be closer to their grown children so they could enjoy their new role, they first embarked upon finding the right realtor and the right home. They settled on the “perfect” home; perfect that is to transform. The seriously outdated 1,800 square foot ranch had a closed outdated kitchen, 3 bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace, a full basement and 2 baths. Although it had “good bones”, it was straight out of a builder’s catalog with wall to wall carpet, standard tile and honey oak everywhere you looked. But this couple had big plans for this home. In tandem with their home purchase, they began the search for the just the right renovation company. The team they chose needed to be cohesive, as the whole house renovation would be designed hundreds of miles from their home several states away. She found Advance Design Studio, Ltd. online, and was quickly enamored by the team and by Common Sense Remodeling, simply by studying the website. Her decision to choose Advance Design to partner on this complete ranch renovation was confirmed quickly upon her first face to face meeting with owner Todd Jurs, and later by Advance’s designer, Nicole Ryan. Three bedrooms were converted into a one master suite with ample bath and walk in closet, laundry, and a 2nd multi-purpose room designed for movies and entertainment, a home office, and a guest room all in one. A doorway leading to the garage was reconfigured to create a foyer area, and allowed for a better flow to an open modern kitchen complete with a large island for cooking and entertaining, which included a wide bench seat overlooking the back yard and opening onto an eating area flanked with a fireplace and TV. The piece de resistance culminated with 3 walls of full glass anchored by a striking fireplace in the new four season’s room where the homeowners enjoy coffee every morning while gazing at the current day’s mid-western landscape. The open floorplan encourages living in “one space” throughout the day. Ryan worked with the couple remotely, exchanging 3D color renderings and floorplans with detailed budget updates until the project took on the very image they had envisioned. “Working with them was a change from our normal meeting process since they were literally in a different state. We conducted meetings by phone, while reviewing materials and drawings via computer. It was a fun process that necessitated lots of detail and careful coordination, but we made it happen and the process was as smooth as if they were right here like normal”, says Nicole. During a stressful time planning their move, the constant interaction with Nicole assured the couple that all was being addressed by the Advance team and they could relax and focus on other important things (like moving cross country). The new master bath incorporated heated flooring, a walk in shower with seating and custom shower niches, and an elegant double sink vanity with ample space for two. “The layout of each of the rooms is exactly what I envisioned,” the client said. “Advance’s attention to details such as light switch placement, electrical outlets, and many other minute details you wouldn’t even think of was the icing on the cake. If I didn’t think of it first, they certainly did,” said the happy homeowner. Small details like the crown molding, the custom designed fireplace mantle, the under-cabinet lighting and etched door glass, and even subtle rhinestones shimmering like delicate jewelry in the tile backsplash brought the whole project together. The clients were extremely happy with the way the Advance team made sure these small things were executed perfectly. “It’s just gorgeous,” they said at a celebratory event in their home hosted shortly after completion for the entire Advance Design team that made it happen. “The entire crew at Advance Design was a pleasure to work with. We couldn’t have done this with a lesser team,” they concluded.